Great tips! I have had several Federal interviews over the past month. I was offered a job with a TS clearance, I'm in the process now. But to all those looking for Federal employment. Do not give up! I only have an Associates degree however I do have a Schedule A letter with alot of experience in Administration. Also, the more documents being submitted the better. Example: cover letter, writing samples, schedule A letter, resume, award letters, etc. And you must cater your resume to the position. This MUST be done and resume must be formatted as a Federal resume not like a regular resume....good luck!
Update! I got the job! I went through the background check which took 1 month and fingerprints. I went on a number of federal interviews since I made the first post. The position I decided to go with made the offer September 2020. I received a few offers but went with the one that that had a higher grade and was metro accessible. I start mid November 2020. Continue to apply and have faith!
@@anniesshenanigans3815 I used the uajobs.gov federal resume builder so everything is formatted as they want it the in computer system, not sure how it looks exactly at the end, but you just need to fill out the blanks and it formats it/ inserts things where they need to go.
Who knows with Rona and all, but when I started the process the job positioned closed in July for applicants, got selected for an interview in August, and I don't think so heard back until later October that I got it as long as my background check came back okay, and I started Jan 2 with a few days of orientation lol so people usually say 6 months total for everything. Shortest time may have been 3 months for everything, but that's rarer. Also depends on how bad they need to fill the job, things might go quicker in those instances. Hope that helps!
The position I applied for was at a local clinic which was in-state, but the VA system was actually based in the state south of us, about 1.5 hours away.
I Maura thank you for all the information. I am a veteran and was employed by the Department of Defence from 2003 to 2007. I moved overseas and completed a Bachelor's, Post Graduate Certificate, and a master's in Aviation Management. I have applied for a few positions that are in aviation and got shortlisted before the job was pulled. Since I am 3 classes from completing an MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Do federal employers see overseas addresses and put the application in the too hard basket when they see an overseas address? In my last role in Federal Employment, I was a WG-10. I notice that the jobs I have applied for say that you need to have held a GS-7 position in the past for these jobs that I previously applied for the posting said that you must have held a GS-7 or 10. I never did hold that high of a GS level rating? Are they strict in the hiring process if you have not held a GS level before?
You can directly apply online to see available jobs, but job fairs are usually announced on social media, so I would follow the VA's you would like to work at on Facebook or Twitter maybe.
I applied at the VA and got a call for an interview and they called the next day and said they were impressed with my interview and are interested in me and asked if they could call my current supervisor for a reference because it's required for hiring and after I consented they said "we look forward to speaking with you again soon!" What do I do now? Like do I need to heads up my supervisor?
Yeah I don't see why not! When I applied I had to list character and professional references both so they contacted those people I believe as well. If they pick you you'll get a tentative offer pending the background check and all that. It's a lot of hurry up and wait unfortunately lol but some systems are allowing the departments to do some of the hiring versus just HR, so that speeds up the process I believe.
@@MedicalMaura thanks! I just don't want to forewarn my boss and kinda risk my current job and not get anything back. (current supervisor can lead by emotion rather than logic at times) not trash talking and I mean that as neutral and humble as possible. It's always been a goal of mine and now an opportunity is so close (as it seems) lol so you would take that as a good sign?
I would yes, and yeah I understand what you mean but if they said they were going to contact references I assume they are, and it might go worse if they get blindsided by it rather than breaking it gentle to them lol once I got my tentative offer they say don't quit your day job basically because I didn't start for 2+ months, but I had told them about it after my interview which was another 3 months before that, so plenty of time to find someone else.
I worked for a private sector hospital when I started my career as that's mostly where I can work with my specific degree. I choose to apply at the VA because a new clinic opened near where I lived, I had always heard good things about benefits/ retirement working for the government/ VA, and I preferred working clinic hours than my current hours at the time, which was weekend shift 530 am to 6 pm. All of that being said, I wanted to help provide care to local vets in my community- Many of our regulars are quite a hoot, you never know what's gonna come out of their mouths 😂 lol
Hmm could be, I couldn't say. I didn't know anyone within the VA and started at a brand new clinic, right before they opened , so they didn't know me. Make sure when you apply you are applying under veteran status listings because there is usually 2 types, non-va employees, non veterans, and then current va employees/ veterans, atleast that's how my job posting was.
Hi Joe, you have an edge to getting in actually. Here is how it works other than nepotism: First the job position at the VA will be posted internally to its current employees, if it is not filled then it gets posted to all VA employees nationally, still not filled then it gets posted to veterans only, and finally if that still doesn't fill the position it then is posted publicly for non VA members. There are three options to get around this, the first is apply for an internship as interns have the status to be hired non-competitively. The second option is to take on hours for licensing or a degree at a VA hospital, and finally the third and in my opinion best option is to find a very small VA since they don't have the liberty of being as picky with hiring, and then after a year transfer to your desired VA location. Good luck!
No at interviews they don't mention pay at all I don't believe. From filling out your application they should give you the gs scales and from that you can see the ranges + locality pay for wherever you are (cities pay more). I had to do ksa's which were like essays explaining my experience, so if you have experience that is factored in to which step within the scale you are on, for example gs 7 step 3.
Can't say that I know of any that started right out of school, usually a lot of people apply for each position, so I guess it depends who you are going up against, there may be restrictions as far as years experience, it would be best to look at a USAJobs.gov job opening and see all the requirements.
Great tips! I have had several Federal interviews over the past month. I was offered a job with a TS clearance, I'm in the process now. But to all those looking for Federal employment. Do not give up! I only have an Associates degree however I do have a Schedule A letter with alot of experience in Administration. Also, the more documents being submitted the better. Example: cover letter, writing samples, schedule A letter, resume, award letters, etc. And you must cater your resume to the position. This MUST be done and resume must be formatted as a Federal resume not like a regular resume....good luck!
Update! I got the job! I went through the background check which took 1 month and fingerprints. I went on a number of federal interviews since I made the first post. The position I decided to go with made the offer September 2020. I received a few offers but went with the one that that had a higher grade and was metro accessible. I start mid November 2020. Continue to apply and have faith!
Yay congrats!!
what is a federal resume??
@@anniesshenanigans3815 I used the uajobs.gov federal resume builder so everything is formatted as they want it the in computer system, not sure how it looks exactly at the end, but you just need to fill out the blanks and it formats it/ inserts things where they need to go.
@@Nekole1 congrats! I'm moving to Tampa next year and I want to work at their VA Hospital.
I had a phone interview yesterday with a VA hospital. Any idea when I might hear something back (either selected ,or, not selected)? Thank you
Who knows with Rona and all, but when I started the process the job positioned closed in July for applicants, got selected for an interview in August, and I don't think so heard back until later October that I got it as long as my background check came back okay, and I started Jan 2 with a few days of orientation lol so people usually say 6 months total for everything. Shortest time may have been 3 months for everything, but that's rarer. Also depends on how bad they need to fill the job, things might go quicker in those instances. Hope that helps!
@@MedicalMaura did you apply for the VA position from out of state or in state?
The position I applied for was at a local clinic which was in-state, but the VA system was actually based in the state south of us, about 1.5 hours away.
I think you’d be a good teacher because your good at explaining things
Thank you!
She's actually terrible
I Maura thank you for all the information. I am a veteran and was employed by the Department of Defence from 2003 to 2007. I moved overseas and completed a Bachelor's, Post Graduate Certificate, and a master's in Aviation Management. I have applied for a few positions that are in aviation and got shortlisted before the job was pulled. Since I am 3 classes from completing an MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Do federal employers see overseas addresses and put the application in the too hard basket when they see an overseas address? In my last role in Federal Employment, I was a WG-10. I notice that the jobs I have applied for say that you need to have held a GS-7 position in the past for these jobs that I previously applied for the posting said that you must have held a GS-7 or 10. I never did hold that high of a GS level rating? Are they strict in the hiring process if you have not held a GS level before?
Question- I’m gonna be applying for VA soon... how do I find out about job fairs
You can directly apply online to see available jobs, but job fairs are usually announced on social media, so I would follow the VA's you would like to work at on Facebook or Twitter maybe.
I need a job former. Any advice. For my same feild . Framing. Experience
I applied at the VA and got a call for an interview and they called the next day and said they were impressed with my interview and are interested in me and asked if they could call my current supervisor for a reference because it's required for hiring and after I consented they said "we look forward to speaking with you again soon!" What do I do now? Like do I need to heads up my supervisor?
Yeah I don't see why not! When I applied I had to list character and professional references both so they contacted those people I believe as well. If they pick you you'll get a tentative offer pending the background check and all that. It's a lot of hurry up and wait unfortunately lol but some systems are allowing the departments to do some of the hiring versus just HR, so that speeds up the process I believe.
Hope it ends up well for you! I work for the VA 😊
@@MedicalMaura thanks! I just don't want to forewarn my boss and kinda risk my current job and not get anything back. (current supervisor can lead by emotion rather than logic at times) not trash talking and I mean that as neutral and humble as possible. It's always been a goal of mine and now an opportunity is so close (as it seems) lol so you would take that as a good sign?
I would yes, and yeah I understand what you mean but if they said they were going to contact references I assume they are, and it might go worse if they get blindsided by it rather than breaking it gentle to them lol once I got my tentative offer they say don't quit your day job basically because I didn't start for 2+ months, but I had told them about it after my interview which was another 3 months before that, so plenty of time to find someone else.
@@MedicalMaura thanks! I guess I'm going to break the news today lol wish me luck.
Why did you choose a career working at the VA?
I worked for a private sector hospital when I started my career as that's mostly where I can work with my specific degree. I choose to apply at the VA because a new clinic opened near where I lived, I had always heard good things about benefits/ retirement working for the government/ VA, and I preferred working clinic hours than my current hours at the time, which was weekend shift 530 am to 6 pm. All of that being said, I wanted to help provide care to local vets in my community- Many of our regulars are quite a hoot, you never know what's gonna come out of their mouths 😂 lol
I'm veteran and nurse I been trying get a job in VA it seems like they have hire ppl who they know
Hmm could be, I couldn't say. I didn't know anyone within the VA and started at a brand new clinic, right before they opened , so they didn't know me. Make sure when you apply you are applying under veteran status listings because there is usually 2 types, non-va employees, non veterans, and then current va employees/ veterans, atleast that's how my job posting was.
I'm a veteran and a social worker. I can't even make it past the gate. Do they even want to hire vets?
@@Thomas116-m2n It's ok for us risk our life and fight for the country but not qualified to serve our fellow vets . really shame how they treat us !
@@gdogg98433 I work for CDC and veterans get hiring preference
Hi Joe, you have an edge to getting in actually. Here is how it works other than nepotism: First the job position at the VA will be posted internally to its current employees, if it is not filled then it gets posted to all VA employees nationally, still not filled then it gets posted to veterans only, and finally if that still doesn't fill the position it then is posted publicly for non VA members. There are three options to get around this, the first is apply for an internship as interns have the status to be hired non-competitively. The second option is to take on hours for licensing or a degree at a VA hospital, and finally the third and in my opinion best option is to find a very small VA since they don't have the liberty of being as picky with hiring, and then after a year transfer to your desired VA location. Good luck!
What are Vacancy Question Responses?
Usajobsfinder on Instagram find a great job for me upon arrival to the United States. Thanks so much
Will they tell me at interview what my pay will start as. Do I even ask that?
No at interviews they don't mention pay at all I don't believe. From filling out your application they should give you the gs scales and from that you can see the ranges + locality pay for wherever you are (cities pay more). I had to do ksa's which were like essays explaining my experience, so if you have experience that is factored in to which step within the scale you are on, for example gs 7 step 3.
But HR has to do with the hiring and pay scales, not who's interviewing you.
@@MedicalMaura so the VA still does KSAs?
@@royharper2003 I had to before I started, which was the end of 2018.
@@MedicalMaura wow, I'm at CDC we did away with those years ago
what do they check on the background check?
Pull up SF85 or SF86 - (Questionnaire for National Security Positions) form online and that will give you an idea.
Does VA hire new nurses?
Can't say that I know of any that started right out of school, usually a lot of people apply for each position, so I guess it depends who you are going up against, there may be restrictions as far as years experience, it would be best to look at a USAJobs.gov job opening and see all the requirements.
Usajobsfinder on Instagram find a great job for me upon arrival to the United States. Thanks so much
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